Description

Inviting volunteers in June and September/October to help with projects and with turning 2.5 hectares of land into a beautiful wildlife refuge and organic vegetable garden.

We have been living in Occitanie, in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, for 6 years now. With the help of family and volunteers, we've been working to transform the property, move towards a sustainable way of living, and to share this with guests.

With two-and-a-half hectares of woodland, meadow, orchards and vegetable garden, as well as chickens, rabbits and cats, there is always plenty to do.

This year we are inviting volunteers just for April to June, and in the autumn, to help us transform the garden and woodland. We will be doing some major garden-redesigning, and will need help with clearing parts of the grounds and woodland, and setting up wildlife habitats and "art-walks", as well as developing the organic herb and veg plot. There are also more advanced projects, such as building a pizza oven and yoga deck, or constructing a drip-irrigation system, for those with interest and experience.

If you’re happy to help us, then we can offer a warm welcome, comfortable accommodation and vegetarian food in beautiful surroundings in exchange for 5 hours' help a day (two days a week free). We are looking for people who are happy to help in more than one area - and on some days we will need everyone to pitch in with important tasks. For some tasks we will work alongside you, but for others you will need to be self-directed.

We have space for two helpers, and invite people to stay for between two and four weeks. I'm sorry, but for practical reasons we cannot invite helpers with children or dogs.

If you would like to join us, please let us know why you would like to stay with us, and what relevant experience/skills/enthusiasm you can bring to share. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note we are an English-speaking household, so if you're looking for an immersive French-language experience, this isn't it!

Type of help

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Our lovely village has a brasserie and a café, both with regular live music events, a castle and a swimming lake. It is in the High Valley of the Aude, surrounded by Cathar Castles, organic vineyards, beautiful walks, rivers and lakes with kayaking and water-sports. We are about 45km from Carcassonne airport and the TGV line to Paris/Lille, or 60km from Perpignan for trains to Spain; both have good (€1 per journey) transport connections to Quillan - our nearest town. If you are looking for nightlife and shopping though, this is not the place to stay!

Help

We welcome people who are happy to do a variety of tasks, including gardening, helping to clear and look after the grounds, feeding the animals, and practical projects such as basic d.i.y. and decorating. There are also more advanced projects available to those who are interested and experienced.

Everyone helps with general cooking and housework as well.

Languages spoken

English, Swedish, German and French

Accommodation

Accommodation will be either in a 5-metre bell-tent (with electricity and proper mattresses!) or in a brick-built cabin which has comfortable bunk beds and electricity (and heating), and full access to the house for showers, wifi, tv etc.

What else ...

Puivert is a pretty village in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude. It has a swimming lake with a sandy beach and a museum of music and local history. The village itself is just a five minute walk away, and has a general store, a café, a brewery and two restaurants. It is in the foothills of the Pyrenees, surrounded by Cathar Castles, organic vinyards, beautiful walks, caves, rivers and lakes.

We are about an hour from Carcassonne airport and the TGV line to Paris/Lille or an hour and a half from Perpignan where you can get trains to Spain; both have good (€1 per journey) transport connections to Quillan, where we can drop you off or pick you up. Toulouse is about an hour and a half away by car, or you can take a direct train from Carcassonne.

If you are travelling with a car we have parking on site, but if not there are plenty of great places to get to on foot. There are lots of activities to do in the area – hiking, rock climbing, cycling, rafting, lake-swimming, etc. There are some magnificent walks in the area, with viewpoints that are absolutely breathtaking. There are multiple local markets each week, which we regularly go to and are happy to take you along. The village brewery and café have regular live music and are great places to socialise in the evenings. The Cathar Castle in Puivert was a centre for music and jousting in the Middle Ages, was featured in "The Ninth Gate", and is open all year round. The village also has a gliding club that offers experience flights over the beautiful surrounding area.

This is a very overdue review for two completely awesome volunteers. Patrick and Natasha arrived in May to volunteer for a couple of weeks, and ended up staying for about two months. They are the nicest people you could wish to meet, as well as being hard-working, conscientious and professional. While they were here they made a huge difference to… read more the place - organising the shed, giving the conservatory a make-over, fencing in the chickens, making a play-house for visiting children, helping to build a fence and gate, gardening, cleaning, looking after the swimming pool, cooking meals, doing laundry, looking after the animals... and probably lots of other things I've forgotten. They got on well with everyone, and are good-humoured and sociable.
We definitely miss them, and hope they'll make their way back one day.

I would absolutely recommend Meadow as a volunteer. She is hard-working, practical, self-motivated, and good-humoured. She is bilingual in French and English, and very independent and competent. She got on well with everyone, and made the most of her short stay with us.
While she was here Meadow helped with all kinds of things including looking… read more after the animals, painting a mural, gardening, cooking, cleaning, d.i.y, and rescuing an abandoned kitten... she is good at spotting what needs doing, and just getting on with it in a professional and good-humoured way. She offered to sort out our completely chaotic utility room and left it organised, clean and tidy.
Thank you so much for all the hard work and good company, Meadow, you would be welcome back any time.

This was my first workaway and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
I wasn't too sure at first but Ruth and Peter truly are very nice people and really care about your well being and making you feel comfortable.

They made me feel at home and it was always nice to eat at the table with them and with the rest of the family if they were… read more around.
Ruth was also great with taking into account whenever we done extra hours and made sure we (me and another volunteer) took a day off.

If you are thinking about staying here I would definetly plan at least 3week. I was with them for a little less than two and it was only towards the end of my stay that I was really getting to know them and Ruth's family.

It's a great place to get some time to yourself and relax but there are also many places to go but you might want to make sure another workawayer is there at the same time as you are if you struggle with your own company.

Alice and Tom are a very nice young couple, and we really appreciated their help. Alice is particularly good with animals, she took charge of feeding ours, and they're definitely missing her! She is very artistic, and a kind and thoughtful person. She also turned her hand to helping with d.i.y., pitching 5-metre bell tents, cleaning and gardening.… read more Tom designed a fence for us and built a big wooden gate, as well as helping with gardening and clearing. They cooked some excellent meals, and got on well with the other volunteers.
Thank you very much for all your help. I hope you're enjoying your next volunteer place, and wish you all the best with your adventures.

Ruth was a kind and thoughtful host. We had a fantastic time living in the log cabin in the grounds of her beautiful home. The surrounding nature was so beautiful and we miss it alot! The work she gave us was clear and manageable. She was considerate enough to make sure we didn't struggle and would alter hours if the weather was too hot. She has… read more beautiful animals, lovely cats and some fab chickens. We had plenty of free time in the afternoon to visit the nearby lake in Puivert, to swim in the pool or to go for a walk in the countryside. She took us out on several occasions to local events which were great. She also drove us to markets and transport links so we could visit all the town's and beauty spots nearby. We absolutely would recommend Ruth and we wish her, Peter and their lovely animals all the best! Thanks for having us

(Excellent
)

08/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jessica & Brian) for host

We stayed with Ruth for one month this summer as our first workaway experience and it was fabulous. We had another workawayer there for part of our stay and she was lovely company. Ruth was very accommodating and organized in our daily tasks and for our days off. She always invited us to local events and markets that she was going to and would… read more bring us along if we wanted (which we always did and it was always very worthwhile) and even help us get to places she couldn't also join that we wanted to go. We had opportunities to hike mountains and visit castles but also had lots of time to lounge in the sun and read or swim when guests were sparse (near the end of the season) or away (fairly regular intervals in afternoons). Our accomodation was private and cozy with our own little bathroom and felt like home while we were there. As animal lovers we adored the silky chickens, the kitties, and the guinea pigs and of course the bunny that was adopted during our stay. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, not only at Ruth's home but in Puivert where she lives. Ruth is patient, kind and good natured, and has a wealth of knowledge to offer and is a very engaging in conversation. She was eager to introduce us to other people she knew who were travelers or friends and we loved this. Her family is friendly and welcoming and also made us feel at home. The work is straightforward and Ruth has easy to follow routines for the regular tasks like caring for animals, pool and BNB/camping set up or clean up. The amount of activities to do are endless with a short drive and beautiful bus or train ride for a good price, typically 1€. Ruth is full of local tips and spots to travel and we often had excellent conversations with wine and great food late into the night by the pool or in the lounge. All in all it was an absolute joy to stay here and we would recommend it to anyone doing workaway. Thank you for all the great memories Ruth and the whole crew of you, we will be back!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

14/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica & Brian)

Jessica and Brian volunteered here for over a month in high summer, and I couldn't have managed without them. With good humour and a professional approach, they tackled cleaning, gardening, looking after guests and caring for the animals, during our busiest period of the year. They are friendly, hard-working and conscientious, and got on well with… read more everyone. They also made the most of their stay in Puivert, trying pretty much everything from hiking and swimming, through to a wine tour and a trial glider flight. I would absolutely recommend them as volunteers and as guests, and would be more than happy to welcome them back any time.
Thanks so much for all your help, Jess and Brian, and best of luck with your future travel plans.

I stayed with Ruth for just over 3 weeks and had a lovely time. Puivert is a beautiful, small village with a nice brasserie/real ale pub and a nice lake with a cafe bar beside it. Ruth is very kind and takes good care of her guests I would definitely recommend a visit here. Thanks Ruth! :)

(Excellent
)

29/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Michele )

Michelle joined us at the start of the season, and I can't imagine how we would have managed to get under-way without her. She was an absolute star, organising, cleaning, sorting things for summer, getting the pool-house usable again after a long wet winter, helping with whatever needed doing, all with good humour and to a high standard. She also… read more helped us with clearing rubble from the renovations without a word of complaint. Michelle got on well with everyone - other volunteers and local people - and is excellent company. She made the most of her stay, participating in everything and even trying her hand at co-piloting a glider.

Thank you so much for all the help, Michelle, and I'm really sorry this feedback is so overdue! I hope all is going well, and please remember that you are most welcome back here any time.

(Excellent
)

01/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Michele ) for host

I thoroughly enjoyed a very interesting stay with Ruth in June where she introduced me to her lovely family and friends. Ruth took the time, on our days off, to take us on a superb day hike, and to the market in Espéraza, And we also had the marvellous opportunity of gliding one Sunday, what a treat. A visit to the beautiful lake at Montbel and… read more generally enjoying the evening entertainment in Puivert was great fun, many thanks for a super stay Ruth, and best wishes for all your future projects.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

29/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Leslie ) for host

I stayed with Ruth for two weeks and had a brilliant time. Ruth is very kind and let me arrive a couple of days early at very short notice due to a mix up with train tickets, much appreciated! She really invites you into her home, including you in meals and trips to see live music, firework displays and vintage markets. For a small town there's… read more lots to do.
The work is really varied, from setting up tents to gardening to DIY and the hours are very fair. I even had the opportunity to help at Ruth's daughters farmhouse renovation. Ruth, her family and pets are all lovely and the location is brilliant. I met some lovely people and would definitely go back. Thanks Ruth, hopefully see you in the near future. 😊

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

21/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Leslie )

Leslie is a complete star, and an absolute pleasure to host. She is kind, thoughtful, and easy-going, but at the same time takes a very professional and conscientious approach to her work. She did everything that was asked of her with good humour and to a high standard, whether it was sewing, gardening, cleaning, helping with the animals, helping… read more out with guests, or even moving piles of rocks down a ladder on a baking hot day! Leslie got on well with everyone, and made the most of her time here. If you get a chance to host her, I highly recommend saying yes!

Leslie, thank you so much for all the help and good company. I wish you well with the next stage of your adventures, and hope you will head back to the Haute Vallée one day.

We very much enjoyed hosting Liv. She is a lovely person, and very conscientious, thoughtful and hard-working. Although this was her first WorkAway experience, she was keen to learn, and picked up new skills very quickly. Liv helped with gardening, looking after the animals, cleaning and setting up guest rooms, and making meals. She got on well… read more with everyone, and made the most of her time here. Liv would be welcome back any time.
Thank you so much for all your help and good company, Liv, I hope you will return in the future, and wish you well with your travels and adventures in the meantime.

The stay was my first workaway experience and it was amazing!
Ruth is a very kind and welcoming host, who does her best to make your time at her place as comfortable as possible. Due to her detailed and helpful messages I had a good feeling even before I arrived and knew what to expect of the work and life here. As the tasks varied from day to… read more day, it didn't get boring. After work there was enough free time for individual activities like exploring the beautiful village and the surrounding area or spending the evenings by the lake. It was a pleasure meeting all these friendly people including Richard, Michele, Liv and the others - and of course the coolest sheep Chocolat and many wonderful cats! It was definitely not the last time I vistied that area... Puivert is a place of good vibes - thanks to everyone, who made my time there rememberable!

(Excellent
)

17/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Adrienne)

I would highly recommend Adrienne as a volunteer. She is hard-working, kind and sociable, with a great sense of humour. She gets on well with everyone, and was great with the animals. During the weeks she stayed with us, Adrienne turned her hand to all kinds of tasks, from planting seeds, feeding chickens and setting up the polytunnel for spring,… read more through to helping fix the flat roof, painting and decorating, and cooking omelettes on an open fire by the lake to celebrate Easter. Adrienne speaks French well, and made the most of her stay by exploring the area and getting involved in local events. Oh and her cinnamon rolls are excellent!
Thank you so much for all the hard work and help, Adrienne. We wish you all the very best with your travels.

(Excellent
)

02/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Adrienne) for host

Ruth is a wonderful and welcoming host. It was lovely to be included in her family’s gatherings, parties, and evenings down at the brasserie. I enjoyed helping on the property, and made great friends with other volunteers, Ruth’s nearby family, and people in town.

My responsibilities were clear, we did some sanding/painting/redecorating,… read more furniture assembly, prepped for an apero, cleared the meadow for springtime, helped on a roofing project, fed animals, moved compost into the poly tunnel, and mostly cuddled cats.

I’m sorry that my last week at this place (this time around) was without Ruth, as she was off saving the world one conference at a time in Nairobi. In her absence, we repainted the B&B, moved storage around, and keep the animals happy and healthy.

I very much enjoyed my time in Puivert, and I appreciate Ruth for welcoming me with an open heart. Best of luck to you as the season begins.

This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.

(Excellent
)

12/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jacqui) for host

Ruth is an extremely kind and accommodating host! She made my stay in the area even better than expected with regular trips to markets and town events. She goes out of her way to make everyone feel included and and comfortable; it’s so easy to feel like you’re a regular part of the community here. The work for the Spring was simple and varied, and… read more I was never bored on her beautiful property. I loved staying here, and will definitely be back in the future!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

12/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jacqui)

What an amazing volunteer! Jacqui definitely deserves more than 5 stars, if that were possible. She stayed with us for about 10 days, and in that time helped with re-decorating the lounge, constructing sofas, shifting breeze-blocks, cleaning and tidying, and looking after the animals. She also organised my chaotic kitchen and kept it spotless, got… read more up well before the official start time to feed the animals and prepare breakfast for everyone, cooked lots of delicious meals, and prepared a very impressive apéro for evening guests. Alongside this, Jacqui is friendly and good-natured, with a great sense of humour, and never once complained about the fact that it rained pretty much non-stop while she was here. She got on well with everyone, and made the most of her stay despite the weather.

Jacqui - thank you so much for all the help, great food, and excellent company. We wish you all the best with your travels, and hope you will head back sometime soon.

(Excellent
)

12/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Leah) for host

I so loved my time spend here. Ruth is an extremely accommodating person, very fair with expectations for work, and always made sure the other workawaywers and I were comfortable. She went out of her way to show us the beautiful area and helped us make the most of our stay. I met so many wonderful people, learned a lot and had so much fun. I can't… read more thank you enough Ruth, l'll definitely be back again!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

12/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Leah)

Leah is a lovely person, good-natured, friendly and thoughtful, with a great sense of humour. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting her, and really appreciated her help with decorating, cleaning, gardening, and looking after the animals. She took on every task that she was asked to do, with good humour and a professional approach. She got on well with… read more everyone, making the most of her time here despite the terrible weather, and was much missed when she left.

Thank you so much for all your help, Leah. You are most welcome to return any time. Meanwhile, happy travels!

We had the most amazing time whilst staying at Ruth's beautiful house! We were instantly made to feel at home and fell in love with the area. We were asked to help Ruth with all kinds of outdoor tasks such as gardening work, maintaining the pool area, feeding the animals, cleaning and rearranging the herb… read more garden etc. No day was the ever the same and the time flew by! Ruth constantly went out of her way to make sure that we were "seeing the sights" on our days off, driving us to and from train stations and bus stops which we were incredibly grateful for.

We loved to cook and we had the opportunity to cook a few times during our stay as well as helping ourself to breakfast items and having meals cooked by Ruth herself as well as other workawayers so we tried lots of different food.

Ruth is one of the kindest people we have met during our travels, she is fair, friendly and an absolute joy to work and live with. We met Ruth’s family also who were all the same, happy, friendly people who we really enjoyed spending time with.

We did lots of things during our stay such as trips to the lake, hikes, garden shows, days out to Carcassonne and a fantastic day out to Collioure which Ruth recommended and it was one of our best days during our stay.

Our accommodation was great, we spent a few nights in one of the cosy bell tents and other nights were spent in one of the rooms in the house.

We would definitely recommend this workaway experience.

We hope to see Ruth and her family again and are so happy we got to experience this workaway!!!

Emily and Adam definitely deserve more than 5 stars! They achieved an amazing amount in the 3 weeks that they stayed here, as well as being thoroughly nice people. They are experienced professionals, who take a very pro-active and responsible approach to work. Whatever the task, they completed it quickly, thoroughly, and to a high standard. During… read more their stay, they looked after the sheep, hens and rabbits, did some d.i.y, helped with gardening and managing the grounds, looked after the swimming pool, and cleaned and prepared guest accommodation. And voluntarily cleared and organised the store room and work-shed - two seriously daunting tasks that no-one else could face! Emily's passion for order and tidiness meant that they left everything far more clean and organised than they found it. And alongside this, Adam's wonderful cooking meant that we all enjoyed some great meals!
Adam and Emily got on well with everyone, including the guests and other volunteers, and really made the most of their stay.
Thanks for everything, guys, I really hope to see you again in the future. And meantime happy travels!

(Excellent
)

18/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Manal)

Manal is a lovely person, thoughtful and kind. Her main interest is in organic gardening and permaculture; she did a great job of sorting out the vegetable garden and planting seeds. However, as it was high season here, she also helped a lot with room change-overs for paying guests - doing everything to a high standard and with good humour. In… read more between times, Manal made some wonderful vegan meals - including an amazing Lebanese mezze.
She got on well with everyone - guests and volunteers - and made the most of her stay.
Thank you so much for all the help, Manal, and I hope to see you again in the future. Meantime happy travels!

(Excellent
)

04/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Manal) for host

Absolutely loved my time volunteering with Ruth !!

Thank you Ruth for being such a fair, open-minded and lovely host and thank you for all the visits and the events that made my stay in Puivert and the Aude even more special ! I enjoyed every moment and was very happy to learn the different skills around the B&B/eco-glamping, taking care of the… read more animals, chopping the wood and working on your garden. I absolutely enjoyed our visits to the castle, the lakes, markets and the concerts we've attended and of course the MOVIE nights :) This workaway has also given me the chance to meet some amazing people and I am so grateful for that !

I also thank you Ruth for all the nice discussions we've had and your interest in my background and my culture (please let me know when you decide to visit Lebanon..) I am hoping to come back again one day and see all the crops green and thriving !! I wish you the best of luck with all your future projects and hope to see you again soon :)

Thanks !

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

15/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Charley & Josh) for host

There are a million things we could say to describe how great our stay with Ruth was, but we'll just say this. If you are a nature and animal lover, but don't want to completely cut yourself off from home comforts then this is the workaway for you! The views and grounds are stunning, the food is delicious and the company is even better. Ruth is a… read more lovely, warm and generous host who goes above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable during your stay and we are so grateful to have spent our summer in the South of France with her! The work is always varied and often includes tasks that help you learn/improve skills, (for example, we now consider ourselves expert sheep herders!) and workdays are perfectly structured. We visited during the busiest point in summer where the work was hard at times but we were definitely never bored and always felt appreciated.

Ruth is very flexible and open with your working hours and truly wants you to get the most out of your stay during your time off (we always said she would make a cracking tour guide for the area!). We had many outings together and visited castles, tasted French wine, explored many local markets and generally were made to feel very welcome. Trust us, you will not run out of things to do in this not so sleepy part of the world :)

Thank you so much for having us Ruth, it was awesome meeting you and being a part of your amazing life and we will definitely be back in the future!
Charley and Josh

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

30/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Charley & Josh)

If you have an opportunity to host Charley and Josh, go for it! They have stayed here for 7 weeks, and have been invaluable team members as well as good company. They will be much missed.
Josh and Charley have helped through the busiest period of the summer, with a heavy schedule of guest accommodation turnarounds, as well as looking after the… read more animals, the garden and the grounds, and helping with cooking and house-keeping, always with good humour, high standards, and a professional approach. They are full of good and practical ideas, and have undertaken tasks ranging from decorating a guest room through to wood-chopping and constructing a manger for the sheep. They get on well with everyone, and have been a great help in looking after and socialising with the guests - as well as being endlessly patient with the guests' children.
They made the most of their time off, appreciating the local area and summer activities, and making friends.
I very much hope that Charley and Josh will come back again one day, and in the meantime wish them all the very best with their travels and adventures.

(Excellent
)

06/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Lea) for host

Dear Ruth,
It took me a while to choose the right words to explain What the time volunteering meant for me. I had a great time preparing the glamping, taking care of the animals, driving the tractor and everything else! Thank you for the picnics at lake montbel, the Laughs,great Talks, cuddle time with merlin and good beer as Well as the falafel… read more guy ;) puivert and the Region is stunningly beautiful! For everyone who wants warm hearted and Open minded people, beautiful Nature and interesting outdoor projects this is the right place! I miss you, steph& simon, the Rest of the crew and the animals already! Arne says thanks a lot again for welcoming Him so lovely! We will definitly be back and hopefully soon! :) :)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

30/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lea)

Lea is a complete star. An all-round lovely person - kind, hard-working, thoughtful and good-humoured. She stayed for a month, and during that time she did pretty much everything including looking after chickens and sheep, gardening, cleaning the swimming pool, painting signs, cleaning, preparing guest rooms, driving the lawn tractor... all… read more thoroughly, efficiently and to a high standard. Don't believe her if she tells you she can't cook - she made some great meals (and desserts!)
Lea got on well with everyone, and will be much missed. Thank you for all the hard work and good company, Lea, you are welcome back any time.

(Excellent
)

31/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Julian & Anna) for host

We spent two weeks here and the time passed very fast.
Work was varied and never too hard, we enjoyed feeding the animals in the morning and then helping with a bunch of different outdoor and indoor tasks (lawn-mowing, bramble cutting, painting inside and outside, planting in the poly tunnel, cleaning the b&b room and the house...) - it never got… read more boring.
The communication with Ruth about our work was very good, she explained clearly what she expected, was always greatful for help and was even flexible about working more on one day and getting another day off in exchange.
We would definitely recommend staying with Ruth, work is comfortable, accommodation friendly and the area is calm but lovely.
Thank you Ruth for having us!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Very good
)

09/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Fruzsina & Miklos Barnabas) for host

We stayed nearly 2 weeks here in April. Ruth was always really kind and friendly. Unfortunately, she had to leave for some days. During this time, we was working with her daughter.
The weather was very cold, so if you go there in April, do not get rid of your winter clothes. Unfortunately we did it! :)
The work was fair, usually gardening,… read more painting, cleaning. We worked from 9 am to 1 pm and you have to help with the dinner. It's good if you can cook, because Ruth is sometimes too busy.
We went to the brewery last night, there was a great concert. You must visit it :)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

29/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Fruzsina & Miklos Barnabas)

Fruzsi and Miki stayed for nearly two weeks, and we really appreciated their help with a wide range of tasks, from painting and varnishing to animal feeding, gardening and spring cleaning. They are quiet, friendly, respectful and hard-working. They are also very good cooks, and Miki plays lovely music on his guitar. They got on well with the other… read more volunteers. I can definitely recommend them, and they would be welcome to return any time.

(Excellent
)

04/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Émile)

Émile is a great guy - sociable and hard-working. He only stayed with us for a short time, but he settled in quickly and worked really well at everything we asked him to do. He helped us with getting our accommodation and grounds ready for spring. He got on very well with the other volunteers, as well as the local people. He speaks Spanish, as… read more well as excellent English and French. I would definitely recommend him as a volunteer.

Thank you for all the hard work and the music, Émile, you would be most welcome back any time.

(Excellent
)

29/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Simon)

Simon is a pleasant and polite young man, and in other circumstances might prove to be a good WorkAwayer. Unfortunately though, in his application he greatly over-estimated his ability to understand English, and his experience in practical work. Consequently this stay did not work out well, as he was unable to understand most of the tasks we asked… read more him to undertake, and lacked the experience to figure them out for himself. He also did not like our vegetarian meals, and did not know how to cook or help prepare food, so he must have been quite hungry. Simon is keen to learn English, but is quite reserved so found it difficult to make the most of opportunities to talk with others - such as mealtimes and social occasions - he is happiest watching videos on his smartphone or watching tv. He did borrow a bike to explore the local area, though, and made good friends with our cats.
On occasions when there was someone available to work alongside Simon and who could speak fluent French to explain things to him and answer questions, then he got on much better and worked well. So I think that with a French host who is available to help and supervise during work times, things would work out much better and he could be a good member of the team. Perhaps the most important thing is for Simon to make sure he is realistic in his choice of places to apply to, and in describing his skills and experience.
I hope that Simon's next volunteer places work out much better for him, and that he enjoys his future travels.

Julie is one of the nicest volunteers we've had, and even after a month everyone was very sorry to say goodbye. She is polite, friendly and respectful, and takes a very professional and conscientious approach to work. Whatever task she undertook, she did it with good humour and to a high standard. She helped us to get ready for the start of the… read more season, so there was lots of gardening, clearing the grounds, moving sheep, spring-cleaning guest rooms, and painting walls. Julie made very good friends with the other volunteers, and with the local people in the village, and very much made the most of her time off to explore the local area activities. She even tried her hand at flying a glider. I would highly recommend Julie as a volunteer, and she would be most welcome to return any time.

From my very first day at Ruth's I immediately felt so welcomed and at home. This was my first ideal workaway, as Ruth graciously welcomed me on short notice as I was coming from a not so great workaway experience. She was flexible and so helpful in providing info on actually getting to Puivert. I am forever grateful to her for welcoming me, as my… read more time at Ruth's was a wonderful and unforgettable month long experience. There was plenty of yard work and grounds maintenance to be done as well as spring cleaning and organizing inside the house, and of course helping to tend to the animals! But the work was not very hard, and while working alongside other volunteers was quite enjoyable. The structure of our work days were very nice as we always had afternoons off to explore the village and neighboring towns with the locals, which were absolutely breathtaking. However Ruth was very flexible with the our schedule, and we were able to swap our hours around in order to have a few days off to visit Barcelona! I had such a lovely time working and staying at Ruth's and getting to know her and her family as well as the locals. I will always look back on my time here with the fondest memories. I would highly recommend this workaway opportunity to anyone.

(Excellent
)

29/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (lilith & Joshua)

Lilly and Josh are the nicest couple you could wish to meet. We really enjoyed hosting and getting to know them. They approached every task with good humour and professionalism, whether it was painting walls, spring-cleaning guest rooms, looking after the animals, building shelves, or doing the gardening. They are also excellent and enthusiastic… read more cooks. They made the most of their time off to explore the area and get to know the local people. They got on well with everyone, and would be most welcome back any time. Thank you so much for all the help, music, and good humour guys, happy travels.

(Excellent
)

24/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (lilith & Joshua) for host

Staying with Ruth was our first workaway experience and it exceeded our expectations. We felt very welcomed and comfortable from the very beginning and Ruth is incredibly helpful with how to get around, what to do in the area and was also very good company.
The work was fair and well explained, there was no ambiguity as to if we were on the clock… read more or not which made us feel as though we were among friends the whole time. We were very sad to say goodbye and end our time here(for now we hope).
The area itself was stunningly beautiful with markets and other events almost every few days if you are keen to get involved.

10/10 would recommend, if you enjoy doing your fair share, good people and good vibes then this place is perfect.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

28/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Theodora)

Theo is an excellent volunteer - if you get a chance to host her then say yes! She stayed with us for 3 weeks and worked hard, efficiently, and with good humour. She painted walls, cleared brambles, looked after the animals, spring-cleaned, cooked, planted seedlings... She also happily joined in all the social activities in her time off and made… read more several good friends in the village.
Thank you for all the hard work and good company, Theo, and for the cookies! You are very welcome to return any time.

(Excellent
)

27/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Theodora) for host

The Project here has been my first workaway project and I loved it! Ruth is a very caring Person and makes absolutley sure you feel comfortable. She gave me some advice how to get to puivert the best which made me feel already very welcomed. I came in Spring so there was lots of work to get done till the beginning of the season (until the first… read more bed and breakfast guests would arrive). Which means tidying up, gardening, painting,... I stayed for 3 weeks, but you could easily stay there for longer! Although I'm not too experienced she would trust me working on my one which I really appreciate! I also learned to appreciate the scenery and the village life. Better not expect having too much free time not because you would have to work so much but more that there is always something going on. So you will find yourself very quickly at the end of your trip. Ruth knows lots about the surrounding and can give you advices what to do, lots of things to explore. And there is a big Community of English people around the area so you don't have to worry too much about your French.

I had an absolute wonderful time!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

25/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Georgia & Francis)

Georgia and Francis are absolute stars! Such nice people, and very hard-working. They got on well with everyone, and took on everything they were asked to do with good humour and a professional approach. While they were with us they cleared and painted a room, planted seedlings, renovated the entrance gates, cleared an area of land, picked apples… read more and walnuts, cleaned the accommodation rooms, looked after the sheep and chickens, and cooked some great vegetarian meals. We were really sorry to see them go, and very much hope they'll be back sometime.
Thank you so much for all your hard work guys, and I hope the next stages of your travels go really well.

(Excellent
)

25/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Georgia & Francis) for host

We spent 2 weeks here and had such a great time! Ruth's home was extremely comfortable. We ate very well and she was a very friendly and welcoming host. Ruth was very generous in giving up her free time to show us around her area taking us to markets, local village events and in helping us to organise a trip down to the beautiful coastal town of… read more Collioure. We enjoyed getting to know Ruth and her family and being able to contribute to her small holding and guest accommodation. The work was satisfying and fair. For us it included feeding the animals, painting, planting seeds, weed clearance, pool maintenance, and general jobs that come with running an accommodation service.

We'd absolutely love to come back some time!
Francis & Georgia xx

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

25/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Robert)

(No show)

07/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Emiliano)

Emiliano stayed with us for a month in May/June, during this time he helped us with a huge range of tasks. These included building a poolside shower with foundations and mains water, renovating the poolhouse, painting, gardening, and many heavy duty tasks such as trench digging and moving very large logs by hand. He is diligent and skilled in what… read more he does and is an extremely hard worker. We loved having Emiliano stay with us, it really felt like he was one of the family. He's exceptionally kind and an all round wonderful guy. Not to mention his empanadas and argentina cake were delicious! He is absolutely welcome back any time. Emiliano, thank you for everything!

(Excellent
)

22/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Emiliano) for host

Almost one month ago I arrived here and I leave this morning with a wonderful experience. Was really sad leave.
Ruth, David and Amy are a mix between perfect host, great friends, kind persons, clever, smart, easy going people and I can't say nothing but good things about them.
They tried to help us to know the area and we were always welcome to… read more join to their activities.
The time off is just amazing. Swimming lake walking distance, excellent artisans beer also walking distance, markets, etc. Great views everywhere.
Thank you guys! Also for GOT update.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

07/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Barbora)

Barbora stayed with us for 2 weeks in June. She is really nice and extremely helpful, always willing to lend a hand. She helped us with loads of different gardening tasks (some of them quite heavy duty!) as well as cleaning, cooking, general maintenance and preparing guest accommodation. Barbora is great company and lovely to have around the… read more house, and even cooked us a fantastic Slovak dish. We'd welcome you back anytime, Barbora!

(Excellent
)

28/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Barbora) for host

Ive spent almost two weeks with Ruth, David and Amy. They are a very nice family always happy to help you with your questions about anything. I enjoyed volunteering here very much we took care about their garden and the bed and breakfast. The place is rich on historical places, beautiful architecture, and most of all the nature. Thank you once… read more again for everything to all of you, for the cultural and political debates and kindheartness

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

27/05/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (roger)

Fabian stayed with us for a few weeks in May, helping mainly with building work. He is very experienced in building and construction, and helped us out hugely with tiling and renovating our pool house. He isn't afraid of hard work or heavy lifting, and was happy to work self directed when needs be.

His English is very good and he's starting to… read more learn French as well.

He has lots of experience with guests as he runs a hostel back in Columbia.
He's a really nice guy and settled in straight away.

You fed me well - main condition fulfilled :D
Seriously, I had a good time at yours, because you are very bright and genuinely kind people. You regularly impressed me with your stories and you still do! Besides, can there be a better proof for how well it worked with us, than the fact that we are still in touch?
Well... your village is surely… read more another superbly appealing thing. Castles, forests, rivers, lakes, the freeshop, the brewery, the music (especially Robbie's), the people... ;D and your pool house!
AND YOU!

Sowa spent 1 month with us in March. He helped us with relaying and concreting a stone patio, plastering walls and a ceiling, laying laminate flooring, and extensive finishing and decorating. He is a very diligent and hard worker and completed everything to a very high standard.

Sowa got on very well with the family and other volunteers, and… read more even made some friends in the village in the short time he was here. He is friendly, very interesting, and a really genuine person. He loves animals and formed a strong bond with one of our chickens, who used to wait outside the door for Sowa to see if he wanted to hang out.

Sowa, you made a great addition to our household and we hope you're able to come back and visit!

(Excellent
)

18/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Annie)

Annie and Tom are hardworking and enthusiastic, keen to learn and improve their skills, and always ready to help with whatever is needed. While they were with us they looked after the animals, worked in the garden, took turns with cooking, and Tom helped with insulating and plastering our "cabane" while Annie was very patient in persevering with… read more the messy task of pressure-washing the terrace. They got on well with everyone, and are polite and friendly. We very much appreciated all their help, and wish them well with their travels.

(Excellent
)

03/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Annie) for host

Its a tad late we know but we couldn't possibly not leave a review for Ruth, Dave and Amy.

We had an amazing time here and it is somewhere we would definitely recommend. First off the food was amazing! We have both learned some new skills in the kitchen from Ruth, Dave and Amy (not as bad a lead cook as she seems to think!). The work schedule… read more wasn't too demanding and we have even started following their same day to day time table at home so we're more efficient in the day.
They were amazing hosts and extremely welcoming, especially Pushkin (one of their many cats). We were even fortunate enough to be offered lifts visiting the coast at Collioure, where there was sun and sand and to Belcaire, where we ended up building a snowman.
All in all we had a wonderful time, everyone was very understanding, making sure we were happy and felt at home.
Thank you all for a wonderful Workaway, we'd hope to visit again in the future.

Annie and Tom

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

17/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Katsuhiko)

We have very much enjoyed having Charlie to stay with us. He is quiet, thoughtful, polite, and very hard-working and conscientious. He has done everything we asked of him, all very thoroughly and to a good standard. This has included a great variety of tasks including painting, gardening, looking after animals, cleaning rooms for paying guests,… read more and cooking. Although Charlie is quite reserved to begin with, he gets on well with everyone and has a good sense of humour. He has made the most of his time off as he enjoys visiting the surrounding towns and countryside. He is a keen and adventurous traveller. We would certainly recommend Charlie, and would be happy to welcome him back any time.

(Excellent
)

04/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (MARK) for host

My 3, (and a bit) weeks here was great. The work was varied and fun and the setting is beautiful and fantastic for exploring, walking or chilling. Ruth, David and Amy are thoughtful and considerate hosts and made sure to show me the surrounding areas and natural beauty around Puivert. I definately plan to return here for a summer visit as the… read more village and it's people have a magnetizing charm.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

03/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Macarena) for host

My experience here was great ! Everyone in the house was very nice and they took very good care of me; they made sure I was warm enough and well fed !
The work wasn't too hard, I got to do some gardening, painting, cleanning and take care of the animals, it was fun to do things I had never done before.
Amy and Dave were super nice when I told them… read more I wanted to learn french and they would practice with me and teach me new words. I really appreciate that !
The enviroment in the house is very easy going and I had loads of free time after lunch for myself. I can't wait to go back in the summer to enjoy the lake, the pool, the markets and the company !

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

28/03/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Macarena)

Macarena stayed with us for 3 weeks in March. She was extremely helpful and very hardworking, and willing to do anything we asked her to. She was always happy to lend a hand with household tasks outside of work hours, and we very much enjoyed her company. She helped us with gardening, decorating, cooking, and general grounds maintenance. She is… read more friendly, easy to get on with and lots of fun to be around. She is absolutely welcome to return - we hope to see you in the summer!

(Excellent
)

27/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (adam & nikki) for host

Ruth was the perfect host! She made us feel so at home we really didn't want to leave! She was very generous and considerate and happy to show us the area, taking us out to a traditional French County Fair to sample local honey, cheese and wine. She taught us a lot about the local Cathar history and even took us up to see Monsegur Castle which was… read more breathtaking. We enjoyed the work and were given responsibility to work independently. We built a new sheep shelter, a pen for the newborn lamb, finished off the polytunnel as well as other jobs for the gites and helping out with evening meals. The house and grounds are beautiful and really peaceful, only a 10 minute walk to the village which has a shop and even a brewery. We really loved the area and hope one day to return. Thanks Ruth for having us and making us feel so welcome, we will miss our interesting evening conversations over wonderful homemade vegetarian dinner.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

29/10/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (adam & nikki)

If you have an opportunity to host Nikki and Adam, I strongly advise you to accept! They are delightful people, great company, hard-workers, and extremely competent at everything they do. They only stayed with us for a week, and we would have loved to host them for longer, but in that time they designed and built an excellent (portable!)… read more sheep-shelter, looked after the animals, cleaned guest rooms to a high standard, cooked some delicious meals, and generally helped with anything that needed doing - all with good humour and a professional approach.

We wish them all the very best with their exciting adventure, and very much hope that their travels bring them back some day.

(Excellent
)

18/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Georgia)

We really enjoyed meeting and hosting Georgia. She is hard-working, thoughtful and considerate, and gets on well with everyone. While she was with us she did an amazing job with preparing the polytunnel beds for winter planting, and sorting out the compost. She also helped to look after the sheep and chickens, made chutneys and preserves for… read more winter, and cooked some great meals and delicious cakes! Georgia is very self-motivated and conscientious. I would highly recommend her as a volunteer. We wish her all the best with her travels and adventures, and hope that she will come back one day.

(Excellent
)

29/10/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Daniel & Annika)

Daniel and Anni are lovely people, and it was a pleasure to host them. They are friendly, helpful and hard-working. They were only here for a week, and we'd have been delighted to host them for longer, but they achieved a huge amount in that time and all to a high standard. They took everything in their stride, even an unexpected newborn lamb (and… read more were a great help in making sure it survived and thrived). They looked after the animals, completed a part-built polytunnel, built a wonderful wood fence to protect the lamb, cooked some great meals, cleaned guest rooms to a high standard, and were happy to help with anything that needed doing. They are thoughtful and independent, and got on well with everyone. They would be most welcome back any time.

(Excellent
)

14/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Megan & Salvatore)

Megan and Salvatore are a very pleasant, hard-working and friendly couple. We very much enjoyed hosting them, and really appreciated all their hard work. They helped in the vegetable garden, clearing the grounds, changing over and cleaning rooms for guests, cooking meals, and did a great job cleaning out our two ponds - which they volunteered to… read more do despite it being unpleasant work. They are friendly and sociable, and got on well with everyone. I would certainly recommend them as volunteers.

(Excellent
)

14/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucía & Leonardo Alfonso)

Lucia and Leo are a lovely couple, and we thoroughly enjoyed hosting them. They are very hardworking and helpful - and quite happy to turn their hands to anything. They do a thorough, professional job, whether painting, gardening, cleaning, or looking after the animals, and always with good humour. Leo cooked us some amazing meals! They got on… read more well with everyone, and we really missed them when they left. Thank you so much for all the hard work guys - you would be most welcome back anytime.

Jon and Janna are a very pleasant, friendly couple, and we enjoyed having them to stay with us. They are conscientious and work hard, to a good standard. They were very helpful with cleaning rooms for the guests at our chambre d'hote, making up beds and doing the laundry, as well as helping to look after the garden. They are creative and… read more self-motivated, and created a beautiful "quiet space" in a corner of the garden for our guests. They also cooked us some delicious meals. They got on very well with our other volunteers and with us. We wish them all the best with their continuing adventures.

Ruth is a WONDERFUL host! She's extremely thoughtful and considerate and really wants you to enjoy your time there. She's funny, generous and makes you feel at home. Because of this, you really want to do good work for her and are happy to help in any way possible.

She is clear with her expectations and the work is very fair and enjoyable. The… read more surrounding area is beautiful and there is a lot to see within easy walking distance. Ruth knows a lot about the area and always offers to take you along if she's going somewhere she thinks you might enjoy. She makes it very easy to get around to places you want to see or need to go. We truly enjoyed getting to know her and her family, who are all lovely people as well.

This experience couldn't have been better. We were always happy, comfortable and excited to contribute to the property. Ruth, thank you for such a fun, positive stay! We loved all the talk and laughter around the table, secretly feeding the cats ham, binge reading your Harry Potter books, making corny puns, and trying to solve the rogue chicken problem.

We'll miss you guys! Thank you for everything and don't forget to send us photos of the chill area once it is developed!

(Excellent
)

06/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & E)

Info notice: Workawayer cancelled stay or there was a no show at the last minute

(No show)

12/11/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (madeleine)

I would certainly recommend Maddy as a volunteer. We very much enjoyed having her to stay with us. She is quiet, but gets on well with others. She worked hard, to a high standard, and helped with gardening, looking after the animals, cooking (delicious meals), and preparing the new vegetable beds for spring. She also did a great job of cleaning… read more and preparing rooms for guests. Maddy would be welcome back any time, and we wish her well with her travels and adventures.

(Excellent
)

17/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Febe) for host

My time with Ruth and Peter last summer was great! Not only did I enjoy working and cooking with them, I also had a great time at the farmers markets and with the plum picking and jam making. The work needed at this farm is not complicated and it is not a problem if you don't know how to do something because there wil always be someone to explain… read more it to you. I had two great weeks here and I think anyone would!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

18/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Febe)

Febe was great fun from start to finish, and joined the family life seamlessly from the get go.
She was always very eager to help, and would jump up and offer her assistance as soon as she saw anybody doing, well, practically anything!
She is a hard worker and did a fantastic job of making everybody's life that little bit easier. She applied… read more herself equally to the full range of jobs. She even cooked some great bacon pancakes, and brought a special Dutch sauce!

Thank you very much for your time Febe, and all the best for the rest of your summer!

(Excellent
)

13/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Jin Soon)

We really enjoyed having Jinny to stay with us. She is a very interesting, thoughtful person, who got on well with everyone. She was helpful and hard-working, happy to take on everything from driving the lawn tractor to cleaning and guest change-overs. Jinny was also polite and appreciative. I would certainly recommend her as a volunteer, and we… read more wish her all the best with her travels and adventures.

(Excellent
)

11/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Jin Soon) for host

I had a really wonderful time here. I enjoyed the work, and it was just the right amount of work and free time. Every meal was absolutely delicious as Ruth, Peter and Dave are all fabulous cooks. You will be comfortable and treated kindly. Puivert is a place where you want to go if you are seeking a peaceful time, as it's not near 'city life', but… read more know that you will have a nice experience with other volunteers and the fam :)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

11/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Neža & Anže) for host

Dear Ruth and Peter, thank you for two amazing weeks in this summer. We enjoyed being a part of your constantly evolving place. You cooked us great meals, took us as a part of family and it was a great feeling to contribute with working. We miss your cats, too, especialy Pushkeen :). We're sorry for taking so long to write a feedback :). We hope… read more to see you again some day. Good luck with all your future projects :)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

18/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Neža & Anže)

Neža and Anže were with us for two weeks, and did a multitude of different tasks. From cleaning to cooking to constructing a chicken pen, they both worked hard and with a great attitude. They work very well as a couple or independently, and were more than happy to help out with extra bits when things got hectic. They also cooked us all some great… read more meals!
They are very independent and perfectly happy going off on their own exploring the area, so very low maintenance.
They have some great hobbies and stories to share, and both of their English is perfect.

Thank you both very much for the help and all the best for the future. I hope all the cleaning and bed changing has been good practice for your new place!

(Excellent
)

03/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Matthew)

Matthew stayed with us in August this year and helped us with our eco-tourism business. He is a dedicated and reliable worker and can always be depended on to do a great job, whether in garden maintenance, building and decorating, or doing guest turnarounds. He is great company and very respectful of hosts and guests. It was a great pleasure to… read more have him stay with us at an exciting time for him as an author. We would be happy to welcome him back any time. Bon voyage, Matthew, and all good wishes for success with the book just published (and the novel to come).

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

22/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Jordan)

Jordan stayed with us in August - a very busy time for the accommodation side of our work. He helped us by doing cleaning and changeovers in our B&B, studio apartment, house and tent, and also with the full range of general maintenance in the garden and around the house. He is very reliable and thorough, a hard worker who can be depended on to… read more work on his own initiative, and is polite and respectful of guests and hosts. He is very good and entertaining company and a good cook! We would recommend him to any host looking for a volunteer, and would be happy to welcome him back .

Bon voyage, Jordan, wherever life takes you.

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

18/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Christin)

Christin was a fantastic addition to the family, helping out with all manner of jobs. She ran the household for 5 days while I was away, feeding all the animals, making breakfast for the BnB guests each morning, and keeping everything together without a single hitch.
She even passed this knowledge on to a new volunteer who joined us that… read more week!
On top of that she was a source of great conversation and company, and has a great variety of experiences to share.

She will make a wonderful addition to any environment, and we wish her all the best. Christin, you are welcome back any time!

(Excellent
)

08/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Anina) for host

I had a good first workaway experience with Ruth, Peter and their son David for two weeks in July. Their garden is absolutely beautiful, and the flow of guests (both paying and friends) coming and going, makes it easy to speak with a lot of interresting people.
The working hours are very reasonable – my tasks was mostly cleaning and a bit of… read more work in the garden. And the family is always very good at saying thank you. With most of the afternoon free, there is plenty of time to go explore the area or simply relax in the peacefull surroundings. Though the dinnertime is really french (which means late), I enjoyed the vegetarian meals very much.

I do recommand people to either come together, or make sure that there is another voluntear – always more fun to go on adventures with company.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Very good
)

19/07/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Anina)

We very much enjoyed having Anina to stay with us for two weeks in July. She is good-humoured, sociable and hard-working. She was happy to take on any task requested, always with a smile. She helped us with gardening and general maintenance, and cleaning and preparing rooms for paying guests. All of her work was to a good standard. Amy is very… read more good with customers, getting on well with everyone. I would thoroughly recommend her as a volunteer. She is welcome to return any time, and we wish her all the best with her travels in the future.

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

03/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Amy) for host

Ruth and peter were incredible hosts, I spent 2 wonderful weeks with them back in june. This was my first workaway experience, and I'm very happy that I spent it here. The work was enjoyable and diverse, from helping lay paving slabs to planting veggies to taking care of their lovely chickens and guinea pigs. The area is beautiful and there are… read more lots of things to see in the afternoons after work. I immediately felt welcome here, ruth and peter are such kind people, they truly appreciate the work that volunteers do for them and do what they can to make sure their volunteers are happy. I really couldnt recommend them enough - thank you for everything!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

29/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Amy)

We very much enjoyed having Amy to stay with us for two weeks. She is a delightful girl, sociable and hard-working. She was happy to take on any task requested, always with a smile. Amy helped us with gardening, looking after the chickens and guinea-pigs, cleaning and preparing rooms for paying guests, and even digging an excellent fire-pit (on an… read more very hot day) for last-minute camping guests. All of her work was to a good standard. Amy is easy-going, bright and good-humoured, getting on well with everyone. I would thoroughly recommend her as a volunteer. She is welcome to return any time, and we wish her all the best with her travels around France.

(Excellent
)

20/07/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)

We very much enjoyed having Rachel to stay with us for two weeks in July. She was happy to take on any task requested, always with a smile. Rachel helped us with gardening, looking after the chickens and guinea-pigs, and cleaning and preparing rooms for paying guests. All of her work was to a high standard. She is easy-going, bright and… read more good-humoured, getting on well with everyone. I would thoroughly recommend her as a volunteer. She is welcome to return any time, and we wish her all the best with her travels in the future.

Ruth and Peter are absolutely lovely people. They are moreover very interesting and fun :) I am not even a vegetarian and I enjoyed very much my nice vegetarian meals there ;) Their location is great, full of places and landscapes to discover. There is plenty of work to be done around the property and that was great too. No need to add that I do… read more very highly recommend those hosts to nice people willing to help them.

(Excellent
)

07/07/2014

Left by Workawayer (Nadine & Michèle) for host

The two weeks at Peter and Ruth was the best first workaway experience we could beg for.
The area around is just wonderful and realy cozy and if you have a car it would be an advantage to see all the cool things around the place.
The work was realy easy and very various. Peter and Ruth are just a cool couple. Peter is very amiable and Ruth has a… read more funny, black and sarcastic sense of humor. We spent a great time with them and can recommend this place to just everyone.
Hope to see you again Pierre and Ruth.

Nadine and Michèle

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

06/07/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Nadine & Michèle)

Nadine and Michèle stayed with us in June. They helped us with a variety of maintenance work around the house and garden, and did guest changeovers in our accommodation. They are good-humoured and reliable, and can be depended on to work without supervision, and they have a very good attitude to customers as well. We wish them well with their… read more travelling and education and would be happy to see them again. Bon voyage Nadine and Michèle!

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

29/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)

Sarah is a delightful person, very sociable and enthusiastic. Although when she first arrived she didn't have a great deal of practical experience, she was very keen to learn and soon picked up the skills needed. She helped with looking after our paying guests - cleaning and preparing rooms, cooked some great pizzas, and did a brilliant job of… read more organising the vegetable garden - planting out seedlings and drawing a multi-coloured garden map for us. She and her fellow volunteer also created an awesome fire-pit for our "eco-glamping", which was very heavy work on a hot day. Sarah got on well with everyone, and even played guitar onstage for the village "Fete de la Musique". Thanks for all the help Sarah, and we wish you all the best with your great travel adventure.

(Very good
)

10/06/2014

Left by Workawayer (Hannah & Christopher) for host

Staying with Ruth, Peter and Dave was a great experience. This was our first work away and they could not have set higher standards for our future hosts. We were given a variety of tasks which were enjoyable and rewarding - even learning many new things! We fell in love with their beautiful property, neighbouring horses, gorgeous little ginea-pigs… read more and 3(i hope) funky chickens! Of course we would not forget the loving, characteristic cats - being dog lovers i think they have evened out our love for cats and dogs! We were more than happy in our double room but with no guests at the time staying Ruth and Peter were so kind to let us stay in the studio to give us our own space which made us feel even more at home. Over all our experience here could not have been better, thank you for a wonderful first workaway and what felt like was our home for 3 not quite long enough weeks. Hopefully we can cross paths again in the near future! You should be proud of what you have and are still beginning you create,
Hannah and Chris.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

01/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Hannah & Christopher)

Chris and Hannah stayed with us in May. They are a delightful, fun-loving couple who are really great company. They helped us with a variety of construction and maintenance work around the house and garden, and did guest changeovers in our accommodation. They are reliable, can be depended on to work without supervision, and their own creative… read more input is valuable as well. Chris is a very talented cook and Hannah's hairdressing skills were a welcome extra. Chris and Hannah: thank you so much for all you brought here in May 2014 - have a great travelling adventure and you would definitely be welcome to come back to visit us in France again. Bon voyage!

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

09/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Jacqueline)

Jackie stayed with us in April. She worked hard to help us get our accommodation ready for the new tourist season on maintenance and decorating activity, including preparing the vegetable garden for Spring planting. She also helped us with changeovers between paying guests. She works to high standards, and is cheerful and good-humoured. We really… read more enjoyed her company and her help this Spring and would be happy to have her visit again. Thanks, Jackie, and bon voyage!

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

06/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Lyle & Parissa) for host

We couldn't have asked for any better hosts than Ruth and Peter! For our first workaway experience, we had a ball! They were extremely welcoming and made us feel at home straight away. It was the little touches like our picnic trip to the lake and BBQ by the pool that made it really special. The work was well structured, not too challenging and we… read more always had the afternoon to sit in the sun and relax, or go cycling around the French countryside! We would love to return as a workawayer or a guest because we feel that we have an extended family!

Cheers!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

23/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Lyle & Parissa)

Lyle and Parissa stayed with us for nearly 3 weeks in April. They are hard-working, enthusiastic, and lots of fun to be around. They helped us with a range of small construction and repair work as well as getting our accommodation ready for the new season. We would be really happy to welcome them back sometime - not only because Lyle is a good… read more cook and Parissa loves to bake! Really nice people who made us laugh and helped us a lot. Good wishes to them both!

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

04/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Heather) for host

This was my first workaway experience and I am lucky to have found Ruth and Peter! I had an amazing time, the work was enjoyable because they acknowledge my passions for cooking and gardening and let me spend most of my work time doing that, the days are set up so that we get a lot done but have a lot of free time to explore the Pyrenees on… read more beautiful days, or catch up on reading, music practice or in my case yoga on rainy days. Ruth, Peter and their son David are kind, interesting and hard working people. I hope to see them again in the future.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

03/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Heather)

Heather stayed with us in April. She is always willing to help, is reliable and dependable, and good at using her own initiative. She worked with us at the start of the tourist season on getting our accommodation up to standard and ready for paying guests. She has a great flair for gardening and is really knowledgable about a wide range of plants… read more - she helped us get our vegetable garden ready for the Spring. And she loves cooking and is good company. We're hoping to see her again - and get some yoga sessions going this time! Thanks for all the good creative fellowship, Heather - go well and you're welcome back anytime.

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

26/04/2014

Left by Workawayer (Marija) for host

Ruth and Peter are kind of hosts who manage and organize the job amazingly well, so their helpers have plenty of free time to explore really beautiful surrounding area. Job was not very difficult, and I had luck to work with Parissa, Lyle and David, which means that I had so much fun at the same time. It was also nice to hear thank you from Ruth… read more and Peter so many times a day, even after some very easy tasks. I really felt that my help was much appreciated. Thank you so much for all the special moments we shared :) Looking forward to see you in the future!

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

23/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Marija)

Marija stayed with us in April. She is very hard-working and always keen to help out where she can. Her work is always of a very high standard - important to us because she was helping us prepare our accommodation for the new season. She is considerate, thoughtful, caring and has a good sense of humour as well. No-one could wish for a better… read more volunteer than Marija and we would be delighted to welcome her back in the future.

Peter & Ruth

(Excellent
)

22/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Samuel)

Samuel is a very interesting and thoughtful young man. He was happy to help with any tasks, and did a lot of work in the garden and grounds. Although he doesn't have a great deal of experience, he is very keen to learn and always willing to try new things. Samuel was very helpful in the kitchen and around the house, and cooked some excellent… read more meals. He got on well with everyone, and we had some very interesting conversations. We enjoyed having Samuel to stay, and wish him all the best with his exciting plans.

(Very good
)

28/12/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Kate )

Kate is a lovely girl - cheerful, friendly, enthusiastic and hard-working. She helped us with the garden, the house and the animals - always the first to volunteer to wash up, cook, feed the chickens, or whatever else needed doing. She is kind and thoughtful, and gets on well with everyone. I would highly recommend her as a helper, and we would be… read more happy to welcome her back any time.

(Excellent
)

23/12/2013

Left by Workawayer (Kate ) for host

I stayed with Ruth & Peter, and Ruth's daughter Katie and her fiancé Robbie for 18 days in December along with another workawayer, and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to help here and see this beautiful part of France. Robbie and Katie were staying as workawayers or helpers and it was good to see what projects they done and had in… read more mind. Kate is one talented young woman when it comes to jams, cheeses and sewing ! We also worked with Robbie who is a great cook and guitarist and had a big enthusiasm for making things in the shed.
It was pretty cold, but there was an abundance of jackets and warm gear that other helpers have left behind so if you come here this time of the year do not fear ! :) the work was light, and fair, and included mulching the garden beds for spring, raking leaves, other small projects outside, and sometimes indoor cleaning up. I liked being able to feel part of the home and enjoyed getting bread from the local bakers in the morning and helping with dinners when it was our turn. You must love cats to come here! They have all been treated for fleas and I never had any grievances against the 6 gorgeous cheeky feline personalities who will enjoy a pat or cuddle- especially Mini and Merlin :D. Ruth and Peter are very kind and intelligent people who I have a massive respect for with what work they have and are doing and their own experiences in the development sector, which meant we has some very interesting table conversations sometimes! They were extremely helpful people with information about the area, transport etc, and really helped me out of a tight spot when I was robbed just before arriving, and needed various things scanned. We had some fantastic outings to Carcasonne, Collieu, and Esperaza to check out the Christmas market! I had needed to leave Quillan early and spent the day before helping with painting the flat in Quillan with David ( Katie's twin )and the other helper, Dane. It was really nice to get the opportunity to meet David as well!
I recommend exploring some of the area on your afternoons off- it's hard to not be happy with views of the castle, small lake, valleys, and sometimes even the Pyrenees. I felt pretty looked after and had a great time here and left with some very good memories. All the best !

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

13/12/2013

Left by Workawayer (Alfi) for host

We spent roughly a month with Ruth and Peter, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The work was satisfying yet not too strenuous. We feel very glad that we went to stay with them and enjoyed exploring the local area, as advised by Ruth and Peter. I (Alfi) personally, am not a cat lover, quite possibly the opposite. But the 6 cats are all great,… read more they each have their own individual personality, and i thouroughly enjoyed their company! Ruth's children are also good to spend time with, and I feel like I learnt a lot from time spent in the shed with David! Thankyou for having us, and hopefully we will see you again in the summer! (apologies for the delayed feedback, we've been very busy!)
Alfi & Merit x

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

25/11/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Alfi)

We would highly recommend Alfi and Merit. They have been with us for 3 weeks, and we have very much enjoyed their company and appreciated all their hard work. They have helped us with gardening, chopping wood, decorating, cleaning, feeding the animals, and working in the grounds. They are both excellent cooks and have produced some lovely meals… read more and excellent cakes! They have a great sense of humour and get on well with everyone. They are both very conscientious and hard-working, always first to jump up and help with household chores even outside of "working" time. We have very much enjoyed having them to stay, and they would be most welcome to return any time. In the meantime, we wish them all the best with their travels and adventures. Ruth & Peter

(Excellent
)

29/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (cicely) for host

staying with Ruth, Peter, all the cats and daughter and boyfriend and two other volunteers was a very pleasant experience. we had lovely dinners every night and on the weekends we went to local markets and to the mountains. the work I did was varied and fun. I like to work hard and I liked the fact that I never was told that something was too… read more heavy for me to do. only one thing on the negative side - I wish they'd told me that all the cats had fleas.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Very good
)

26/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (cicely)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Cicely to stay with us, and we wish she could have stayed longer. She is extremely hard-working - in fact it's quite difficult to persuade her to stop and take time off. She is also very knowledgeable, and was a great help with re-planning and improving our vegetable garden. She is also a great cook - producing… read more some delicious vegan meals. Cicely has helped with weeding, picking fruit, making jams and chutneys, tidying up the garden etc, and has also been really helpful with ideas for eco-building projects. Alongside that, she has got on well with everyone, and been very helpful in the house. I would whole-heartedly recommend her as a helper, and she would be very welcome to return any time.

(Excellent
)

26/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Lauren)

We have very much enjoyed having Lauren to stay with us, and wish she could have stayed longer. During her two weeks here, she has worked really hard in the garden and the kitchen - tidying up the vegetable garden, digging new beds, weeding, picking apples, making jams and chutneys, and feeding the animals. She has also cooked some delicious… read more meals. Lauren is very mature and self-motivated, and conscientious about finishing anything that she starts - always to a good standard. She got on well with everyone, and is knowledgeable and interesting to talk to. She is also very helpful in the house. I would thoroughly recommend Lauren as a volunteer, and she would be welcome to return here any time.

(Excellent
)

25/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Katie & robert)

Katie and Robbie are hardworking, creative and helpful. They are self-motivated and good at seeing what needs doing - then doing it. Katie made curtains, cushion-covers and blinds for us, as well as doing some excellent carpentry. Robbie is a great cook, and has taken the lead on sorting out the vegetable garden and looking after the chickens.… read more They have also helped with decorating and general maintenance. We wish them well with their travels and adventures - and they're welcome to return any time.

(Excellent
)

03/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Kirstie)

We very much enjoyed having Kirstie to stay with us here for a week. She is a very helpful, friendly person who gets on well with everyone. Although she was only with us for a short time, she was a great help both with looking after our paying guests (cleaning, laundry etc) and with gardening. She also helped with fruit-picking and made some… read more lovely jam - as well as cooking delicious meals. I would certainly recommend Kirstie as a volunteer, and we would be delighted to welcome her back any time.

(Excellent
)

03/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (Kirstie) for host

Although I was sadly only able to stay for just over a week I really enjoyed my time with Ruth, Peter and their family (including the cats!). The work was not difficult at all, and I particularly enjoyed cooking and sharing meals with everyone. The hours of work were well organized so that I could explore the local area by foot and on the bikes… read more they generously lend to volunteers. Peter was even kind enough to take us to a local organic winery which was a fantastic experience!

Thank you for everything and I hope to have the chance to visit again.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

18/08/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Lorenz & Nico)

Nico stayed with us for two weeks, and was really helpful as well as being a great guy. He helped with gardening, construction and cleaning, and got on well with everyone. He plays the guitar really well too! We enjoyed having Nico to stay, and wish him well with his travels and studies. Ruth & Peter

(Very good
)

28/06/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Laura)

We very much enjoyed having Laura to stay with us here. She is a delightful person, who gets on well with everything. She was happy to work at whatever we asked her to without complaining, and was helpful in the house as well. While she was here, she helped with decorating as well as working in the garden. We wish her all the best with her future… read more adventures.

(Excellent
)

19/06/2013

Left by Workawayer (Laura) for host

What more can I say that hasn't been said already?! I had such a great time here. The work was fair and well managed, and always appreciated. The accommodation was comfortable and the food always delicious! I would definitely encourage others to lend a hand to Ruth and Peter if they can have you - you won't be disappointed! Thank you Ruth and… read more Peter.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

16/06/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)

We thoroughly enjoyed having Sarah to stay with us, and were only sorry that she couldn't have stayed longer. She is a lovely person, who gets on well with everyone. She worked really hard, helping with the garden, clearing paths, weeding, cooking, and always offering to help around the house. She entertained the kittens in her spare time, and… read more they definitely miss her. Sarah would be most welcome to return any time, and we wish her well with her studies and adventures. Ruth and Peter

(Excellent
)

15/06/2013

Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host

Peter and Ruth are AWESOME hosts.
I had such a wonderful time. I was welcomed so warmly, and definitely felt at home, even though I was only staying for a week. The house and garden are lovely and their cats were just great :)
The work was more than fair, and really enjoyable. There was a great atmosphere about the place, and the local area is… read more beautiful.
Such a lovely place and lovely people, I'd love to go back some day and would definitely recommend this place to other workawayers! Thanks so much for your warm welcome, I'm so lucky to have had the chance to stay with you! Sarah :)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

14/05/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Lorna & Bruno)

Lorna stayed with us for three weeks this Spring. She brought with her much knowledge which helped us establish and develop our new garden, and she is also keen to learn new things. She is creative, helpful and kind and is prepared to do anything in the service of a project she believes in. She loves the land and animals, and is very focused on… read more making life as sustainable as possible. We learned a lot from her and she in turn learned much by being with us. It will be a true pleasure to see her again sometime.

(Excellent
)

11/05/2013

Left by Workawayer (Lorna & Bruno) for host

I think the four beaming faces sum up my three weeks here very well! I arrived in search of an experience in which I could learn something new about living a more sustainable life. I received exactly this and much much more. Ruth, Peter, their family and my new friends Merlin and Pushkin the cats are wonderful beings with an achievable vision to… read more live in respect of and in balance with the environment, whilst also reaching for a life far from the hurried bustle of a Western world. In it's place they create a different kind of bustle; one filled with exciting projects, the freedom to experiment and create, and ever changing gathering of entertaining, intelligent and fascinating people and through it all a comfortable yet inspirational home. Thanks to all of you, including Eliza and Bobby, who made my stay both educational and a lot of fun. I'll be back! :-)

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

24/03/2013

Left by Workawayer (Kevin) for host

Ruth and Peter are the most kind and generous hosts I have stayed with. Working with them is a luxorious position to be in. They are flexible with a very fair work schedule. This generates opportunities for daytrips in lovely surrounding areas or nearby cities, space to relax or pursue one's own desires, get to know different workers staying… read more there, etc. I understand hosting is difficult, and so I am especially impressed with how well Ruth and Peter managed when preparing meals for, at one moment, eleven people. When we each cooked meals for everyone (which was often, in turns) an amazing variety of ingredients was available. Intellegent conversation was often generated, during which Ruth and Peter's being genuinely receiving of different forms of people was made clear. I'm comforted knowing I'll have an opportunity to stop by here again.

You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.

(Excellent
)

16/03/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Kevin)

Kevin has been with us for a month, and I would certainly recommend him. He is happy working alongside other people and has helped with a wide range of projects - from decorating to construction, wood-chopping, helping clear the garden, and cooking. He is quiet, good-natured, and very helpful, and gets on very well with everyone. We are sorry to… read more see him go, and wish him well with his adventures.